DAY 03 - FAKING CHRISTMAS

Prompt from Tumblr User Krieger-harris1124: Can you maybe do a Christmas prompt where both Beca and Chloe aren't really fans of Christmas, but both go all out because they think the other one is a fan and then Fat Amy and Aubrey spill the beans that neither like Christmas and they end up confessing their feelings as they explain why they went all out.

It was the Monday after Thanksgiving, and Beca Mitchell was walking into the lobby of the L.A. branch of Residual Heat with her best friend, Fat Amy.

"Oh, no," Beca said and stopped as she looked around the lobby.

"What's wrong?," Fat Amy, asked as she pushed Beca to keep walking.

"They're decorating for Christmas already," Beca said frowning. "That means I'm going to have to decorate my house for this year's Christmas Party. It's my turn to host it."

"But, you hate Christmas," Amy said. "I thought you'd have found a good reason not to host by now."

"I've already put it off for the past three years," Beca said as they got in the elevator. "I don't think they'll accept any excuses this year. Maybe I'll ask Chloe for help. She seems like the kind of person who lives for this stuff."

"Well, I can help get the alcohol," Amy said. "But don't count on me for much else. I've got too many things going on to limit myself to helping you decorate."

"Fine," Beca said. "I'll get Chloe to help and hire people for whatever we can't do."

The elevator reached the fifth floor, and both exited. "I'll see you later, Beca."

"Bye, Amy," Beca said as she headed in the opposite direction.

Beca got to her office and took out her laptop. She turned it on and pulled out her phone and opened up a text.

Becs: Hey, babe. I know we didn't have any plans for tonight but are you free? I need to talk to you about something.

Beca set the phone down and logged into her laptop. She pulled up the latest track she needed to work on and opened it. She had been working on it for about ten minutes when her phone lit up with a call. She checked and saw it was Chloe and paused the track.

"Hey," Beca said when she answered. "I wasn't expecting you to call."

"Saying you need to talk set off a warning signal in my brain," Chloe said. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm sorry," Beca said and laughed. "I didn't mean to scare you. But can we talk tonight? I promise it's nothing bad or anything. It's just going to take some time to get through. Plus, I haven't seen you in five days, and I miss your beautiful face."

"Ahh, Becs," Chloe said. "Keep talking like that and I might think you actually like me."

"Dammit," Beca said. "I was trying to keep that a secret. But, now that it's out, I kind of love you."

"You're such a cheeseball," Chloe said giggling. "And, I kind of love you, too."

"So, does that mean I get to see you tonight?"

"Definitely. I'll bring something to wear to work tomorrow and my pajamas so we can have a sleepover."

"Don't worry about the pajamas and we can definitely have a sleepover."

"Why, Miss Mitchell, do you think I'm that easy?"

"God, I hope so."

Chloe laughed. "Okay, I'll be at your house around six thirty. Does that work for you?"

"Absolutely," Beca said. "I'll see you tonight. I love you."

"I love you, too," Chloe said and disconnected the call.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Beca got home around six o'clock and placed an order for Chinese food for her and Chloe. She changed into some shorts and a tee before pulling a few boxes of holiday decorations that she had stored in the attic down. Chloe came in as she was starting to take a few things out of boxes.

Beca jumped up and ran over to Chloe and kissed her.

"What's all this?"

"Christmas decorations. This is what I needed to talk to you about."

"Oh."

"Every year Residual Heat throws a Christmas Party and this year is my turn to host. Which means I have to decorate. I was hoping you could help me."

"Um, sure, Becs. I'd be happy to."

Beca smiled and dug a few more decorations out. "I thought I'd go through what I had so I know what more I might need to get. I mean we definitely have to get a tree. I thought we could put it over here in this corner. And I'll buy some fresh greenery to put on the mantle of the fireplace. What do you think?"

"It all sounds great, Becs. When's the party?"

"It's on the fifteenth," Beca said. "So, three weeks. That's enough time to decorate everything. Right?"

"It should be more than enough time," Chloe said.

"Hey, after we're done decorating here, I can help you decorate your place."

Chloe was saved from responding by the doorbell.

"Food's here," Beca said hurrying to the door. "Hope you're in the mood for Chinese."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

"This would look good set up on the table just inside the door," Beca said as she pulled out a ceramic Nativity scene. "Don't you think?"

"Yeah, it's the perfect spot," Chloe said.

"Hey, is everything okay?"

"What? Oh, yeah. I'm just a little tired."

"Oh, shit," Beca said. "I've been going on and on about decorating and haven't even asked you about your day."

"That's okay," Chloe said pulling Beca to her. "I like your enthusiasm. What do you say we take some of that enthusiasm into the bedroom?"

"I'll just put some of this stuff away and meet you in there."

Chloe kissed Beca, hard. "I am kind of tired. I just hope I can stay awake until you get in there."

Chloe gave Beca another kiss and a wink before heading toward the bedroom. Beca looked around at the mess of decorations all over her living room.

"Fuck it; I'll clean it up tomorrow."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

A few days later, Chloe was having lunch with her best friend, Aubrey.

"Beca's coming over this weekend to help me decorate for Christmas," Chloe said.

"What? You're decorating for Christmas. Why?"

"Beca is all gung-ho about decorating for the holiday," Chloe said. "I've been over her house helping her because she's hosting Residual Heat's employees holiday party this year."

"Why didn't you tell her you don't decorate for Christmas?"

"I was going to, but she got really excited telling me what her plans were. I didn't want to be a downer."

"Has she noticed that you don't seem to be at all excited about decorating or the holiday in general?"

"I think she's too into it to pay attention," Chloe said. "I'm not complaining. It's nice to see her excited like this."

"Well, I think you should tell her the truth," Aubrey said. "She loves you. She'll understand."

"You're probably right," Chloe said.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

"Wow, Beca," Amy said. "You're really going all out on the decorating."

"Chloe's been a really big help," Beca said. "She really is into it. I'm actually going over to her place this weekend to help decorate."

"How are you handling all this?"

"It's hard, but Chloe seems so excited I don't have the heart to tell her how much I hate it."

"Well, hang in there," Amy said patting Beca on the shoulder. "It's only twelve days until the party. After that, you can go back to being miserable about the holiday."

"I don't think Chloe will let me," Beca said. "I told you, she's really into all this shit."

"Do you see you and Chloe together for a long time?"

"Of course, I do. Chloe is it for me."

"Then maybe you should tell her the truth. Or else be prepared to fake it through Christmas for the rest of your life. If she loves you, she'll understand."

"I guess," Beca said not feeling convinced.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Over the next week, Beca and Chloe spent a lot of time at each other's place decorating for the holidays. Beca's house was finally finished after she hired someone to put lights up on the outside of the house. Beca and Chloe were standing outside just as dusk was descending over L.A.

"Go ahead, Amy!" Amy flipped the switch, and the outside lights came on.

"Wow!" Both Chloe and Beca looked at each other and laughed.

"This really looks great, Becs," Chloe said.

"It does, doesn't it?"

Beca looked at the lights and decorations and felt her insides warming. This is the first time in a long time that she looked at anything that had to do with Christmas and didn't want to rip everything down. She glanced over at Chloe who was looking all around to take everything in and realized it was because of Chloe that she didn't have a strong hatred for the overly done spectacle before her.

"Looks bonzer, Beca," Amy said.

"Bonzer?"

"Yeah. Bonzer. Great. Excellent. Really nice."

"Ah. Got it." Beca looked around once more and then said, "How about pizza? I'm buying."

"You had me at pizza," Amy said.

"Sounds good," Chloe said.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

The day of Residual Heat's holiday party, Beca had Amy, Chloe, and Aubrey at her house helping to get everything set up. Beca put Aubrey in charge of directing the party rental people on the proper placement of the tables and chairs.

"Not there," Aubrey called out. "Over there. Why doesn't anyone ever listen the first time I tell them something?"

Beca smiled. This was typical Aubrey; giving orders and loving it. She knew she gave Aubrey the perfect job.

Chloe seemed a bit quiet as she helped Amy set up the bar. Beca walked over to check on things.

"Hey," Beca said and kissed Chloe on the cheek. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's great," Chloe said with a half smile. "Amy must have every kind of liquor invented."

"It's a party," Amy said. "There has to be plenty of liquor, otherwise is just a bunch of boring people standing around being boring."

Beca laughed before looking at Chloe again. "Can I talk to you? Privately?"

"Sure, Becs," Chloe said. "Amy, you okay here?"

"It's all good," Amy said.

Beca led Chloe into the kitchen and sat down with her at the counter.

"I was asking if everything was okay with you," Beca said softly. "You seem a bit quiet."

"I guess I'm just tired," Chloe said.

"You've been saying that for weeks," Beca said. "Are you sick? Is that why you're always saying you're tired?"

"No, Becs," Chloe said. "I'm sorry I seem a bit out of it. This time of year just wears me down sometimes."

"I get that," Beca said. "Let's talk about something that's not Christmas related."

"Sounds good to me," Chloe said with a genuine smile.

"Good," Beca said and looked down at her hands nervously. "So, I was thinking that maybe after the New Year, you, um, you might want to, uh. Would you want to move in with me?"

Chloe sat up straight and looked at Beca. "Are you serious?"

"Very," Beca said looking back at Chloe. "We've been together almost a year, and I know that you're it for me. I figure moving in would be the next step before we get, you know, married or something."

"I'd love to live with you," Chloe said and kissed Beca.

"So this is what you call talking these days," Amy said with a grin as she entered the kitchen.

Beca pulled back from Chloe. "Chloe just agreed to move in with me, so we were sealing it with a kiss."

"Sealing what with a kiss?," Aubrey as she entered the kitchen.

"Beca and I are moving in together," Chloe responded with a smile.

"That's great," Aubrey said. "I'm happy for you. When do you plan to do this?"

"After the holidays," Chloe responded and kissed Beca again. "Do you still need us to help? Brey and I still need to get ready for the party."

"You two go ahead," Beca said. "The caterers are due in about an hour. That's really all that's left to do until the party."

"Okay," Chloe said. "Brey, you ready to go?"

"Yes," Aubrey said. "The party rental people are done and gone so let's go while things are quiet."

"We'll see you in a couple of hours, babe," Chloe said to Beca.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

The party is underway, and Beca is faking her way through all the good tidings and cheer. She notices Chloe standing next to Aubrey and Amy.

Chloe is wearing a red silk blouse with a pair of black slacks, and Beca kept help but stare at her. Chloe glances up and catches Beca's eye. Beca smiles at her and Chloe gives her a wink before turning back to Aubrey.

A little bit later, Chloe feels like the walls are closing in and steps out the back door to get some fresh air.

"Hey, you okay?" Aubrey's voice comes from behind Chloe.

"Yeah," Chloe said looking back over her shoulder. "I just needed to some air."

"You're handling all this very well," Aubrey said.

"Beca is so into this," Chloe said. "What am I going to do next year? We'll be living together, and even though I've enjoyed a bit of this, I don't know if I can fake it through Christmas next year."

Tears fell silently as Chloe spoke. Aubrey pulled her friend to her and let her cry.

"Amy, have you seen Chloe?," Beca asked.

"I think she's in the kitchen," Amy said. "I'm going in to get some ice, I'll check for you."

"I'll go with you," Beca said, and they both entered the kitchen. "Thank God no one is in here. I'm so tired of fake smiling and pretending to be enjoying myself."

"What are you going to do next year?," Amy asked. "When you and Chloe are living together, and she's all in the Christmas spirit?"

"I don't know," Beca said. "I guess I'll have to keep faking it."

"You could just tell her you hate Christmas," Amy said.

"What?" Beca and Amy look over to see Aubrey standing by the sliding glass doors. "You hate Christmas?"

"Um, yeah, but please don't say anything to Chloe," Beca begged.

Aubrey grabs Beca by the arm and drags her outside to the back patio. Amy follows to help out her best friend.

"Tell Chloe what you just told me," Aubrey ordered.

"What's going on, Brey?" Chloe looked from Aubrey and back to Beca. "Tell me what?"

"Beca hates Christmas," Amy interjected.

"What? I'm confused," Chloe said. "What's going on here?"

"Chloe hates Christmas, too," Aubrey added.

"What?," Beca asked looking at Chloe. "You've been so excited about helping decorate and everything."

"I only did that because I thought you were excited about everything," Chloe said.

"I was only excited because I thought you loved decorating and Christmas," Beca said.

"You two need to talk," Aubrey said. "Come on, Amy. I could use a drink."

Amy smiled and led Aubrey back into the house. Beca and Chloe stood looking at each other.

"Why didn't say something when I asked you about helping me decorate?," Beca asked.

"You seemed so excited," Chloe said. "I didn't want you to lose that enthusiasm."

"Can you tell me why you hate Christmas?"

"I was six years old, and my parents were killed in a car accident a few days before Christmas," Chloe said as a tear fell down her cheek. "My grandmother had their funeral on Christmas Day, and I started hating everything about Christmas. I came to hate it even more, when two years later, on Christmas, my grandmother died. "

Beca pulled Chloe to her and held her.

"God, now I feel silly for why I hate Christmas so much," Beca said.

"So, tell me anyway," Chloe said into Beca's shoulder.

"Um, okay. My dad left my mom and me on Christmas Eve when I was five," Beca said. "I was asleep in bed and didn't know he was gone until the next morning. When my dad left, my mom a little crazy and got drunk. She trashed the house and broke every gift that was under the tree. When I got up the next morning expecting to see what Santa brought me, all I saw was my mother passed out drunk. She was laying amidst broken ornaments and gifts. Strewn about was ripped wrapping paper and every photo my father was in. After that we never celebrated Christmas. Every year I'd watch as the decorations started going up and I knew that my mother would be passed out drunk from then until after New Year's and there wouldn't be any signs of Christmas in our house. For the first five years of my life, it used to be my favorite time of the year. Now, it's just a sad reminder."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Chloe said and wiped a tear from Beca's cheek.

"I'm sorry you had to go through what you went through," Beca said.

Chloe pulled Beca back into a hug, and they stood there for a few minutes, holding each other as tears ran down their cheeks. Beca finally pulled out of the embrace to look at Chloe. She reached up and wiped the tears from Chloe's cheeks.

"Want to know something funny?," she asked Chloe.

"Yeah," Chloe said.

"All this pretending has kind of made me enjoy the decorations and stuff," Beca said. "I got this warm feeling inside when Amy turned on the outside lights. I started to feel a bit happy about Christmas, and it was all because I thought you were enjoying yourself so much."

"I actually was," Chloe said. "But, then I'd started feeling like I was betraying my parents' memory by being happy." Chloe looked down. "I'm sorry. That sounded stupid."

"No, it didn't," Beca said lifting Chloe's head up. "I know exactly what you mean. How about this? It's been twenty years since we started hating Christmas. How about we let ourselves start enjoying Christmas again? With the understanding that there might be some time during the season that we'll both hate it a little bit but we won't let that spoil our entire Christmas. What do you say? Want to enjoy the Christmas Magic we created and go back to the party? Or should we just slip out and go be miserable somewhere together?"

"I love you," Chloe said. "And, I say we enjoy the Christmas Magic. I kind of like what we did and I'm suddenly feeling very festive."

"I love you, too," Beca said pulling Chloe into a kiss.

Beca and Chloe walked back into the house holding hands and smiling genuine smiles. Aubrey and Amy saw them and clinked their glasses together in celebration.